CV

Vladimir Petrov
Iowa City, USA
(319) 512-0066
v.petrov.18.02.94@gmail.com

Skills

• Robotics & Controls: Motion Planning, Path Planning, Trajectory Optimization, MPC/NMPC, LQR, PID, L1 Adaptive Control, Reinforcement Learning, Multi-Robot Coordination, Autonomous Navigation, SLAM.
• Machine Learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch, RBF Neural Networks, LSTM, Transformers, learning-based dynamics modeling, trajectory generation, data-driven control.
• Software & Tools: ROS/ROS2, C++, Python, MATLAB, Simulink, Gazebo, RViz2, CrazySwarm2, SLAM Toolbox, IPOPT, fmincon.
• Mechanical Design & Simulation: SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Teamcenter, Autodesk Inventor, ANSYS, Creo, SimulationX.

Education

• PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Cooperative Autonomous Systems Lab, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA (Winter 2023 – Present)
  • GPA: 3.95
• Master of Engineering, Volgograd State University, Volgograd, Russia (Fall 2010 – Summer 2015)
  • GPA: 3.96
  • Thesis: Development of Diesel Fuel System
  • Activities: Student Council, Local Charity Organization

Experience

• Robotics Engineer Intern, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL), Cambridge, MA (Jan 2025 – Apr 2025)

  Implemented, integrated, and experimentally validated multi-agent trajectory planning and tracking algorithms for coordinated Crazyflie drone inspection missions in narrow and constrained environments.

  • Set up and maintained the ROS2/CrazySwarm2 experimental stack for multi-Crazyflie communication, control, and flight coordination.
  • Integrated research algorithms into the real-drone experimental pipeline, including trajectory execution, tracking, visualization, and testing.
  • Configured SLAM Toolbox for independent drone localization and generated multiple 2D maps later merged into 3D point-cloud representations.
  • Conducted RViz2-based and hardware experiments to evaluate algorithm reliability, robustness, and flight performance.
  • Contributed to experimental validation for research on Planning Multi-Agent Inspection Tours with Energy Constraints and Separation Requirements.

• Research Assistant, Cooperative Autonomous Systems Lab, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA (Winter 2023 – Present)

  Research in robotics, autonomous systems, adaptive control, trajectory optimization, and learning-based control for AUVs and UAVs.

  • Developed MPC/NMPC, LQR, PID, and L1 adaptive control algorithms for AUVs, BlueROV2, Joubert BB2, 690 AUV, and Crazyflie UAVs.
  • Designed trajectory optimization and motion planning methods using Bernstein polynomials, nonlinear programming, IPOPT/fmincon, and receding-horizon control.
  • Implemented ROS2-, C++-, Python-, MATLAB-, Simulink-, and Gazebo-based pipelines for simulation, real-time control, data collection, and experimental validation.
  • Applied machine learning methods, including RBF neural networks, TensorFlow/PyTorch models, LSTM/Transformer-based sequence modeling, and reinforcement learning concepts for dynamics learning and trajectory generation.
  • Published research on AUV autopilot systems and preparing/submitting manuscripts on UAV adaptive control, disturbance rejection, and trajectory planning.

• Chief of Mechanical Engineering Team, Original-group PJSC, Moscow, Russia (Winter 2020 – Winter 2022)

  Led a 24-person mechanical engineering team responsible for R&D, mechanical design, simulation, and engineering documentation for industrial robotic systems.

  • Managed R&D of Delta, articulated, Cartesian, SCARA, and polar robotic systems.
  • Used Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and ANSYS for CAD design, structural analysis, motion analysis, dynamics, stress, and deflection calculations.

• Mechanical Design Engineer, Techprom LLC, Volzhsky, Russia (Spring 2018 – Summer 2019)

  • Developed mechanical designs for Cartesian/Gantry and Delta robotic systems.
  • Used SolidWorks for CAD design and ANSYS/SimulationX for motion, statics, dynamics, stress, and deflection analysis.

• Mechanical Design Engineer, Severstal-Ropes PJSC, Volgograd, Russia (Spring 2016 – Spring 2018)

  • Developed mechanical designs for Delta and articulated robotic systems.
  • Used SolidWorks and Creo for CAD design and SimulationX for motion, statics, dynamics, stress, and deflection analysis.

Honors & Awards

• Diploma with Honors, Volgograd State University (Summer 2015)

Publications

• Adaptive reference management and model predictive control for near-surface depth–heading control of autonomous underwater vehicles
  V. Petrov, G. MacLin, V. Cichella
  Ocean Engineering, 368 (2026), 128400
  Paper DOI · ScienceDirect · Project and video

• Autopilot System for Depth and Pitch Control in Underwater Vehicles: Navigating Near-Surface Waves and Disturbances
  V. Petrov, G. MacLin, V. Cichella
  IFAC Conference
  ScienceDirect link

• Underwater Vehicle Autopilot System for Controlling Depth and Pitch: Maneuvering Through Near-Surface Waves and Environmental Disturbances
  V. Petrov, G. MacLin, V. Cichella
  Ocean Engineering Journal
  ScienceDirect link

• Planning Multi-Agent Inspection Tours with Energy Constraints and Separation Requirements
  MERL internship research contribution
  Status: Manuscript / upcoming publication

• Ongoing manuscripts
  UAV adaptive control, disturbance rejection, trajectory planning, and learning-based robotic control.